“This is a situation that many Colombian families have found themselves in.”

Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin called for the punishment of those responsible for kidnapping nearly 300 schoolgirls in northern Nigeria in April. She also called on the international community to work together to strengthen the capacity of the Nigerian authorities to prevent events like this from reoccurring.

“We hope that the international community is not indifferent to this situation, and that it unites to co-ordinate efforts to safely free the women and girls, putting an end to their captivity,” said Holguin.

She added that Colombia stood in solidarity with the families of the victims.

“This is a situation that many Colombian families have found themselves in,” she said, quoted in a W Radio report.

Meanwhile, the hunt for the Boko Haram rebels continues, months after the initial hostage-taking raid on a school by the group. The escape of around 57 of the young girls in recent weeks leaves a nonetheless sizable number at the hands of the insurgents, who abducted a further 20 Nigerian women earlier this month, reported the Associated Press (AP). Their whereabouts remain unknown.